A political organisation in Osun State, Omoluabi Progressives, has expressed determination in wresting power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state in the 2026 governorship election.
The group, which splintered from the All Progressives Congress in the state and led by former governor Rauf Aregbesola has been mobilising aggressively, especially in grassroots, recruiting new members on a daily basis.
The group had embarked on membership registration and drive and has expressed optimism that more people would join the movement in months ahead.
Recall that Aregbesola had been suspended by the APC leadership in ward, a decision that was approved by the State Executive Committee of the party.
The party had also constituted a disciplinary committee against Aregbesola, accusing him of creating a faction within the APC and working against the second term bid of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola during the 2022 gubernatorial poll.
APC leadership has alleged that Aregbesola instructed his followers to vote massively for Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP at the last election.
While the Osun APC is still awaiting the decision of its national leadership on Aregbesola’s suspension, the former Minister of Interior appeared unmoved as he has been attending monthly meetings of his caucus and assuring them of his desire to reclaim Osun for those he described as “true progressives” in 2026.
At the December monthly stakeholders meeting of the tendency in Ilesa, the movement recorded an influx of new members.
Addressing the crowd, Aregbesola urged members of Omoluabi Progressives to embrace love and unity in order for their aim of taking over the governance of Osun to be realised.
While emphasising the need for his followers to embrace unity to reach the tendency’s desired aim, the former minister admonished them to work for the overall interest of the fold.
He also canvassed the rallying of more grassroots politicians and leaders of thought to strengthen the tendency’s resolve to entrench good governance in the state.
“We have a strong goal and will, which is to reclaim our dear state for progress, unity and its all round development.
“As we inch closer to the official start to the journey of restoring Osun to the hands of true Progressives, let us imbibe the spirit of resilience, dedication, love and unity as it is the centrepiece of every successful effort.
“I want you all to key fully into our ethos of discipline, courage, character and competence. You should also desist from working against the general interest of the tendency. What is on ground now is to fortify Omoluabi Progressives to become more formidable.
“I am glad that our numbers are increasing statewide. It is a testament to the fact that God is indeed with us. We are more than confident that God is firmly with us, we will triumph. I appeal to you all to be united and let the common goal of winning in 2026 be your watch word. It is an assignment that we must do with all sense of responsibility and commitment to a unified tendency,” Aregbesola told the movement.
In their separate remarks, other leaders of the organisation, charged members to embrace unity and dedication to actualising the return of a true progressive government in the state in 2026.
They also called on members to rededicate themselves to the core values of the fold which is geared towards building a responsible leadership premised on character, competence, courage and discipline to deliver good governance to the people.
Addressing members of the tendency, Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Azeez Adesiji expressed confidence in the mobilisation efforts so far, urging members to do more.
Adesiji also cautioned members on shelving their personal interests, stressing that all hands must be on deck to realise its aim to reclaim Osun in 2026.
“I am glad that people are even turning out more and more to our fold daily. It is a reflection of our acceptability across the nooks and cranny of the state. That the people are continuously trooping into our tendency means a lot. It shows that they are genuinely keying into a platform that truly belongs to them.
“We must avoid putting our personal interests above the collective will of what the Omoluabi Progressives stand to do in the state. We are hugely determined to make our state the toast of others across the country. We can only achieve this if we are united and remove personal interests from our activities.
“I am happy with your turnout. You have shown us that you are indeed with us. Let us keep to that and continue in the spirit. By the grace of God, we are taking over Osun in 2026. We have not even started. We are moving forward to even greater successes and exploits within the Osun political space. Just continue your mobilisation efforts and stay true to the Omoluabi ethos,” the ex-council boss told members.
Already, the APC leadership has endorsed Oyetola, current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as the governorship flag bearer of the party in the forthcoming poll.
Oyetola and his predecessor, Aregbesola, have been enmeshed in irreconcilable differences since 2022 over political ambition.
